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Farhan Zaidi: SF Giants eyeing upper-level shortstop depth

By Marc Delucchi

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mauricio Dubon #19 of the San Francisco Giants defends against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their MLB game at Oracle Park on September 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Mauricio Dubon #19 of the San Francisco Giants defends against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their MLB game at Oracle Park on September 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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SF Giants, Arismendy Alcantara
SF Giants infielder Arismendy Alcantara #29 looked like the primary candidate to be the everyday shortstop at Sacramento, but it looks like the organization is eyeing more depth. (MLB photos via USA TODAY Sports) /

SF Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi told reporters in a videoconference on Thursday that the organization is hoping to add an upper-level shortstop in the coming days. While the big-league roster appears set with Brandon Crawford entrenched as the starter, Mauricio Dubón serving as the primary backup, and Donovan Solano also an option in limited opportunities, the situation in the minor leagues is far less settled.

The Giants added shortstop Arismendy Alcántara this offseason on a minor-league deal, but he is valuable defensively more for versatility than elite play at shortstop. Furthermore, it remains unclear if teams will be expected to fill out rosters at their alternate site and Triple-A. Major League Baseball has already delayed the start of the Triple-A season, but assuming the Sacramento River Cats begin their schedule in May, the organization might feel like they need an additional shortstop at the alternate site to enable Alcántara to play at Triple-A (or vice versa).

Farhan Zaidi told reporters Thursday that the SF Giants are looking to add upper-level depth at shortstop.

It should not surprise anyone that the Giants lack defensive depth up-the-middle. Heading into the offseason, San Francisco clearly lacked the depth at shortstop that they have built in the outfield and other spots on the infield. Still, the front-office prioritized adding relief pitching depth and opted against adding any experienced shortstops aside from Alcántara. Now, they will have to make a late-spring trade or find someone left on the free-agent market if they hope to change that.

Next. SF Giants option pair of roster favorites

Over the next few days, organizations around MLB will set their Opening Day rosters. As teams make cuts to their 40-man roster and elsewhere, a flurry of minor moves will help teams use their depth at certain positions to sure up holes at other spots. Assuming the SF Giants get in on the action, they will likely be targeting a shortstop capable of handling Triple-A competition.

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